Monday, January 4, 2010

Bicycle riders are NOT a community!

Unfortunately, we do not ride bikes for the same reasons. Many cyclists have no love of cycling per se. People ride bikes for various types of ego gratification. People take up cycling to win races, or for the snobbism of having the best and costliest equipment. I've heard racers say, "When I don't win races I'll stop riding". My Pinarello was painted the same as a very expensive model. A rider on the expensive bike spotted me, and I thought he was going to smile and have a conversation. As soon as he saw my bike was not the high-priced model, he scowled and rode away! No, bikesnob, it's not a "nonplussed" look, it's a sneer! Love the sport, hate the attitude!

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My perspective...

I did some road racing in the days of wool, and some mountain bike racing as well. When the after-race beer trucks stopped coming to MB races, I did too. I once had a gig as a bike messenger. At Western Union in '69 in SF, there were no fixed gears or tight pants, just cheap bikes and low pay!